Air Washer System

ABSTRACT

A device for cleaning the exhaust from an exhaust source is provided and comprises an exhaust pipe capable of being connected to the exhaust source with the exhaust pipe receiving the exhaust from the exhaust source and a reservoir having a predetermined amount of water with the exhaust pipe emptying into the reservoir. A recirculation system recirculates the liquid from the reservoir, into the exhaust pipe, and back into the reservoir with the liquid entering the exhaust pipe combines with the exhaust creating scrubbed exhaust gases. An exit pipe is fluidly connected to the reservoir for removing scrubbed exhaust gases from the reservoir. The effect of this continual washing or scrubbing cycle is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases and the exhaust is cleaned and purified, and then released into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of engine exhaust and muffler systems for internal combustion engines.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The industrialized and industrializing world continues to belch carbon-dioxide, the culprit most often identified with global warming, produced by the combustion of coal and oil, and the exhaust emissions of cars, into the atmosphere. Therefor we must reduce our carbon-dioxide emissions for the sustainability of the planet. When we wonder what we can do as individuals to help with such enormous problems, we can adopt technologies that result in cleaner vehicles and lower air pollution. One such technology is provided by the present invention.

The prior art has put forth several designs for treatment of engine exhaust. Among these are:

U.S. Pat. No. 4.783,958 to Antonio B. Borja describes an exhaust gas processing device and method comprising a series of portions for passage of exhaust gas wherein the first portion receives the gas and a liquid that is vaporized to coagulate particulate matter in the gas, the second portion comprises filters and the third portion having a liquid reservoir.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,816 to Gordon S. Trivett and D. Andrew Trivett describes a gas scrubber comprising a tank of scrubbing liquid into which a downconer pipe feeds inlet gas and fresh scrubbing liquid from a plenum.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,616,733 to Roy J. Pellegrin describes a method and means for filtering an air stream with an aqueous froth.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,163,571 to Ying Gang Ruan describes an exhaust gas cooler and particulate scrubbing system comprising an intercooler.

None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for cleaning an engine's exhaust.

The present invention is a device for cleaning the exhaust from an exhaust source comprising an exhaust pipe capable of being connected to the exhaust source with the exhaust pipe receiving the exhaust from the exhaust source and a reservoir having a predetermined amount of water with the exhaust pipe emptying into the reservoir. A recirculation system recirculates the liquid from the reservoir, into the exhaust pipe, and back into the reservoir with the liquid entering the exhaust pipe combines with the exhaust creating scrubbed exhaust gases. An exit pipe is fluidly connected to the reservoir for removing scrubbed exhaust gases from the reservoir. The effect of this continual washing or scrubbing cycle is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases and the exhaust is cleaned and purified, and then released into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas.

In various embodiments of the device can include a heating pad wrapped around at least a portion of the reservoir for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature, at least two liquid introduction pipes for introducing the liquid into the exhaust pipe, and/or a radiator cooler for cooling the liquid traveling through the recirculation system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an air washer system, constructed in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Recognizing the potential to create a cleaner, more efficient exhaust system for exhaust sources 12, i.e., buildings 12 a, power plants 12 b, and motor vehicle engines 12 c, the present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Air Washer System, indicated generally at 10, was developed. Simply stated, the Air Washer System 10 is an exhaust cleansing system for buildings 12 a, power plants 12 b, and motor vehicle engines 12 c, the intent being to cleanse and cool exhaust gases 14 before it leaves the building 12 a, power plant 12 b, and motor vehicle engine 12 c.

The Air Washer System 10 of the present invention intercedes between the exhaust source 12 and the exhaust exit, and constitutes a complete system for cleaning and purifying the exhaust gases 14, cooling the exhaust gases 14, and then releasing the exhaust gases 14 into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas. Upon leaving the exhaust source 12, the exhaust gases 14 are forced down an exhaust pipe 16, with the exhaust pipe 16 emptying into a tank or reservoir 18 filled to a predetermined level with a liquid 20. The liquid 20 is preferably selected from the group consisting of alcohol, antifreeze, and water, although filling the reservoir 18 with another type of liquid 20 is within the scope of the present invention.

The reservoir 18 of the Air Washer System 10 of the present invention is equipped with a recirculating pump system 22, such that liquid 20 is constantly being pulled out of the reservoir 18 and recirculated back into the reservoir 18 via the exhaust pipe 16 that the exhaust gases 14 are entering through. Included in the recirculating pump system 22 is a filter 24 mounted between the reservoir 18 and a recirculating pump 26 to filter the liquid 20 prior to entering the recirculating pump 26. A liquid pressure sensor switch 28 senses the pressure of the liquid 20 as it enters a radiator cooler 30 allowing the Air Washer System 10 to be stopped prior to any damage occurring. A liquid reserve tank 32 is fluidly connected to the radiator cooler 30 to receive liquid 20 from or introduce liquid 20 into the Air Washer System 10 depending on the level of liquid in the reservoir 18 as sensed by a liquid level sensor switch 34 mounted in the reservoir 18. Also, in an embodiment, the Air Washer System 10 can include a liquid level dipstick 36 for manually determining the level of the liquid 20 in the reservoir 18.

The intended effect of the continual washing or scrubbing cycle of the Air Washer System 10 of the present invention is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases 14. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid 20 is introduced into the exhaust pipe 16 by a pair of introduction pipes 38 in fluid communication with the radiator cooler 30. Each of the introduction pipes 38 includes a variable speed pump motor 40 for moving the liquid 20 through the introduction pipes 38. A first introduction pipe 38 a introduces the liquid 20 into the exhaust pipe 16 above a position in which a second introduction pipe 38 b introduces the liquid 20 into the exhaust pipe 16. The dual positioning of the introduction pipes 38 allow a better scrubbing of the exhaust gases 14 as the exhaust gas 14 they travel through the exhaust pipe 16.

The scrubbed exhaust gases 40 of the Air Washer System 10 of the present invention are then pulled from an air chamber 42 of the reservoir 18, by a rear variable speed extract motor 44, out into the atmosphere. In cold climate areas, a heating pad 46 can be wrapped around at least a portion of the reservoir 18 to maintain the liquid 20 therein from freezing.

The Air Washer System 10 of the present invention, an exhaust system that removes harmful contaminants from an exhaust source 12 and thus reduces air pollution, presents a number of distinct and significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the Air Washer System 10 subjects exhaust gases 14 to a cleansing and purification process, scrubbing the exhaust gases 14 in a recirculating air-and-water bath. The Air Washer System 10, then, serves to lower carbon-dioxide and carbon-monoxide emissions and thereby reduces the level of air pollution and atmospheric warming due to an exhaust source 12. Further, the Air Washer System 10 reduces the temperature of the exhaust gases 14, another plus for the planet. The Air Washer System 10 technology can presumably be introduced into the design of an exhaust source 12. Clean, quiet, and environmentally friendly, the Air Washer System 10 was conceived with a cleaner, healthier planet in mind, and will strongly appeal not only to consumers, but also to the manufacturers of exhaust sources 12 and other gas- or diesel-powered machines. An exhaust system for exhaust sources, the Air Washer System 10 results in lower, cleaner exhaust emissions from an exhaust source. Cleverly conceived and thoughtfully designed, the Air Washer System 10 can be incorporated into the manufacture of any exhaust source 12, as well as a wide variety of vehicles and machines which rely on internal-combustion engines for their motive force.

Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

1. A device for cleaning the exhaust from an exhaust source comprising: an exhaust pipe capable of being connected to the exhaust source, the exhaust pipe receiving the exhaust from the exhaust source; a reservoir having a predetermined amount of water, the exhaust pipe emptying into the reservoir; a recirculation system for recirculating the liquid from the reservoir, into the exhaust pipe, and back into the reservoir, the liquid entering the exhaust pipe combines with the exhaust creating scrubbed exhaust gases; at least two liquid introduction pipes for introducing the liquid into the exhaust pipe; an exit pipe fluidly connected to the reservoir for removing scrubbed exhaust gases from the reservoir; wherein the effect of this continual washing or scrubbing cycle is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases; and wherein the exhaust is cleaned and purified, and then released into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the introduction pipes is positioned at a different height level along the exhaust pipe.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein each of the introduction pipes has a variable speed, independently operable pump motor.
 4. The device of claim 1 wherein the exhaust pipe empties into the reservoir at a point above the liquid.
 5. The device of claim 1 and further comprising: a liquid level sensor switch for sensing a liquid level in the reservoir.
 6. The device of claim 1 and further comprising: an exit pump for pulling the scrubbed exhaust gases through the exit pipe from the reservoir;
 7. The device of claim 1 and further comprising: a radiator cooler for cooling the liquid traveling through the recirculation system.
 8. The device of claim 1 and further comprising: a liquid reserve tank for introducing liquid to the recirculation system.
 9. The device of claim 1 wherein the liquid is an antifreeze liquid.
 10. A device for cleaning the exhaust from an exhaust source comprising: an exhaust pipe capable of being connected to the exhaust source, the exhaust pipe receiving the exhaust from the exhaust source a reservoir having a predetermined amount of water, the exhaust pipe emptying into the reservoir; a recirculation system for recirculating the liquid from the reservoir, into the exhaust pipe, and back into the reservoir, the liquid entering the exhaust pipe combines with the exhaust creating scrubbed exhaust gases; a radiator cooler for cooling the liquid traveling through the recirculation system; an exit pipe fluidly connected to the reservoir for removing scrubbed exhaust gases from the reservoir; wherein the effect of this continual washing or scrubbing cycle is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases; and wherein the exhaust is cleaned and purified, and then released into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas.
 11. The device of claim 10 wherein the liquid is an alcohol.
 12. The device of claim 10 and further comprising: at least two liquid introduction pipes for introducing the liquid into the exhaust pipe.
 13. The device of claim 12 wherein each of the introduction pipes is positioned at a different height level along the exhaust pipe.
 14. The device of claim 10 wherein the exhaust pipe empties into the reservoir at a point above the liquid.
 15. The device of claim 10 and further comprising: a liquid level sensor switch for sensing a liquid level in the reservoir.
 16. A device for cleaning the exhaust from an exhaust source comprising: an exhaust pipe capable of being connected to the exhaust source, the exhaust pipe receiving the exhaust from the exhaust source; a reservoir having a predetermined amount of water, the exhaust, pipe emptying into the reservoir; a heating pad wrapped around at least a portion of the reservoir for maintaining the liquid at a predetermined temperature; a recirculation system for recirculating the liquid from the reservoir, into the exhaust pipe, and back into the reservoir, the liquid entering the exhaust pipe combines with the exhaust creating scrubbed exhaust gases; an exit pipe fluidly connected to the reservoir for removing scrubbed exhaust gases from the reservoir; wherein the effect of this continual washing or scrubbing cycle is to remove contaminants from the exhaust gases and wherein the exhaust is cleaned and purified, and then released into the atmosphere as a relatively benign gas.
 17. The device of claim 16 and further comprising: at least two liquid introduction pipes for introducing the liquid into the exhaust pipe.
 18. The device of claim 17 wherein each of the introduction pipes is positioned at a different height level along the exhaust pipe.
 19. The device of claim 16 wherein the exhaust pipe empties into the reservoir at a point above the liquid.
 20. The device of claim 16 and further comprising: a radiator cooler for cooling the liquid traveling through the recirculation system. 